A political row broke out after an meeting into the A27, as MP Stephen Lloyd blasted the Secretary of State’s visit as ‘blatant electioneering’.

Mr Lloyd said Mr McLoughlin had ‘nothing new to say’ on the A27. He said, “I did wonder whether his visit was more to do with the Conservatives spending a fortune trying to win Eastbourne back at the General Election than anything constructive around trying to actually deal with our dreadful road.

“On the basis that nothing new came out at the meeting and the Secretary of State was accompanied by, if memory serves me right, at least four departmental officials, I will be writing to the Head of the Civil Service to clarify whether or not his visit was at the expense of the taxpayer or Conservative Central Office.”

Fellow Liberal Democrat Lewes MP Norman Baker said, “I will be asking the Secretary of State why the meeting is taking place in Eastbourne, when it effects my constituents.”

Caroline Ansell said, “It would be more helpful if Stephen joined the local group working to see this investment through.

“ He could also work on his colleague, neighbouring MP Norman Baker, who has set his face against a new road and who made it very clear at the meeting that Eastbourne has no say on the A27. People want us to work together on this and Secretary of State invited us both to the meeting to that end.”